Language and culture

Scandinavian trolls: all you need to know

You may know Scandinavian trolls as the helpful creatures from Frozen, who heal Anna when she is injured, or the…

Have you ever wondered about the history of Swedish surnames, or efternamn? And do you want to know about the origins…

Do you want an interesting name for your newborn son? Why not consider an Icelandic boys’ name? Men in Iceland…

If you’re looking for a name for your baby boy, why not consider something a little unusual? A Finnish American…

If you live in Europe, it may seem very obvious. But sometimes, people from further afield struggle with the difference…

Snowy rooftops, flickering candles and the warm smell of freshly baked gingerbread wafting across the streets: Sweden does…

When outsiders talk about Denmark, the word ‘socialist’ gets thrown around a lot. Most agree that this northern European nation…

Finnish mythology is rich with legends about gods, heroes and other weird and wonderful creatures. And although it hasn’t broken…

Devil worship, church burning, murder and violence – is that what Norwegian black metal is all about? Or is it…

For those learning a new language or traveling abroad, finding ways to say ‘hello’ to the locals is the gateway…